Samak Bark (Syzygium inophyllum DC.) Extract as a Natural Dye of Wood

Abstract

Natural color of the wood is one of the characteristics that make certain types of wood very attractive aesthetically and has a high economic value. Staining is one of the finishing processes on wooden products, to obtain more attractive colors. Nowadays, the use of natural dyes in the handicraft and furniture industry is increasing. The aim of this research is to produce natural dyes from samak bark and to test the quality of the color, the physical properties, the mechanical properties, and the resistance to wood destroying organism of stained jabon wood. Natural dyes was obtained by extracting samak bark (S. inophyllum) using water , ethanol and water-ethanol mixture (3:1, 1:1 and 1:3 v/v) solvent. The staining process was applied to jabon wood by hot soaking for 3 hours and cold soaking for 72 hours, respectively.. The stained jabon wood performance were evaluated including the color leaching test in hot water, cold water, teepol soap solution, and the color change by acid solution. The color leaching assessed by determination of color changes using the CIELab method, FTIR analysis. Staining of jabon wood with samak bark extract obtained from water - ethanol ( (3:1 v/v) extraction showed a good coloring performance and high color stability (less leaching ability) . In addition, the resistance of stained jabon wood to biodegradation (termites and fungi) increases significantly. . The catechol as the main component in the extract seems to be compound played, not only, as a natural dye but also as an antitermite and fungi’s growth inhibitor. However, there was not effect of extracts to the physical properties (specific gravity and density) and mechanicals properties (MOE, MOR and hardness) of the stained wood.